Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
September 2009
Introduction
As the amount of wind power capacity installed in the United States increases there is a
corresponding need for the capability to integrate these resources successfully into the
power system as an integrated whole. The intermittency of wind energy output, both in
periodicity and magnitude, is an essential challenge to successful integration into existing
power resources. Research is required for ideas to integrate the increasing potential of
wind to maintain adequate power supply, system stability, and operating reserve during
fluctuations in output that may grow to as much as a fifth of the power system supply.
Currently, generator unit, plant, and area control systems are designed to operate with
largely fixed schedules over each hour. Variations to match changing load are included,
but generation is assumed to be relatively constant. With the advent of wind generation,
additional fluctuations in supply will create a need for more variations in traditional
generation. Hydropower generation is much more flexible than coal-fired steam or
nuclear generation and will be needed (along with natural gas units) to meet the more
dynamic needs of the power system. Doing this in a manner that preserves efficiency and
minimizes operating costs is the goal of this research Wind Hydropower Integration
(WHI). First, a survey of the existing literature provides a foundation for new studies
that build on the research that has already been performed. Then, the next effort will
consist of modifications to standard designs and operating procedures. As the scope of
this research is not limited to operation that is specific to Reclamation, publication of the
results in peer reviewed transaction journals will be essential to inform the entire
industry.
Goals of the research are to 1) optimize operation to ensure that the maximum power is
produced from water releases, 2) quantify and minimize operating costs associated with
more loading cycles inherent in wind and solar integration, and 3) identify options to
increase dynamic capacity.
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The health of power transformers is another major concern. In recent years new
online technology has been developed that can monitor transformer oil for
contamination and water accumulation. This relates directly to the health of these
units. Many of Reclamations critical transformers would benefit from real-time,
online monitoring. The cost to replace one of these transformers can range from
$2M to $5M and take at least a year to purchase and install. Lost energy revenue
from a transformer failure can be in the $50M range. An initial estimate is that
Reclamation could use roughly 100 units at a cost of $20,000 each for a total of
$2M.
Hydro Models
Models for past industry studies regarding the impact of wind energy on the
power system used very simplified models of a hydroelectric plant. Reclamation
has been working with NREL and universities to address these shortcomings and
to update these models. Improving the hydro models will improve the quality of
the wind integration studies and better define the impact and opportunities.
Cycling and Stop/Start Costs
Little is known about the additional hydroelectric generator stator related costs
associated with increased maintenance and the loss of life that occurs because of
load cycling and start/stops. These costs need to be researched and identified so
that the cost of providing system reserves can be recovered. The Hydropower
Technical Services Group along with BPA has initiated a research effort to look
into these issues but much more work is required.
Literature Survey
IEA Wind/Hydropower Integration Experts Meeting November 5-6, 2003
One of the earliest appearances of WHI literature papers were presented during a 2003
International Energy Agency (IEA) meeting on the subject. The literature available for
this meeting is available in the form of presentations recorded for the meeting. Deborah
Linke, Power Resources Office Manager, represented Reclamation with a presentation
entitled Challenges & Opportunities for Hydropower & Wind Integration. The meeting
introduction, goals, summary, conclusions and cited references are included below.
Introduction
IEA Wind Hydro Integration Meeting in Portland Oregon, USA, November 5-6,
2003. Four countries were represented including Canada, Norway, Sweden and the
USA. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the US Department of Energy
(DOE) sponsored the meeting along with the IEA. The IEA policy for long term
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The goal of the meeting was to identify technical, institutional, economic and
political issues associated with integrating wind and hydro
Inventory lessons learned from prior work around the world.
Give consideration to establishing a formal technical IEA Wind-Hydro integration
activity.
Summary
Pricing has come down for wind. Coupled with incentive tax credits pricing
coming in under 30 cents per kwh for good sites with large wind farms.
Transmission continues to be a problem since there is no new transmission being
built. Low capacity factor of wind is not conducive to building new lines. Markets
in West are not like PJM market rules (PJMs vision is to be the electric industry
leader in reliable operations and efficient wholesale markets), which do not
penalize intermittent generators. Wind hydro integration depends on operational
flexibility. Integration goal: maximize system dependability by shifting hydro
generation to periods of low wind availability.
Large projects being certified in as environmentally preferable. Recognizing that
big or small is not the only delineation. Skagit River Project just got certified as a
Low Impact Hydro Facility.
Good combinations for wind hydro integration: Reservoirs with large storage,
large active power pools, multiple dams with re-regulation capability, flexible
water/power contracts. Small run of river plants can help with instantaneous, hour
to hour fluctuate.
Bad combinations: Over-allocated projects, run of river projects, projects subject
to ESA or other institutional problems.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory is targeting large federal projects. There
is a new study about to start called Western Area Power Administration
Cooperative Analysis.
Main thing is that each power system is different and one size does not fit all. The
capability to integrate wind power differs among regions. Since capability differs
equity in allocating integration ability is important. The capability to integrate is
not unlimited. There is also some concern about the impact to system reliability,
the long-term product reliability and availability. Reliability councils are
grappling with reserve calculations, regulation requirements, load following
impacts, and technical interconnection requirements.
Bonneville Power Administration is offering new service called Storage and
Shaping Service. There is more information in the attachments on this. BPA has
decided to try a new service to support renewables instead of buying large
quantities of renewables.
Impact of Wind on BPA Operations:
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Conclusions
This meeting was unusual because people doing active research and PhDs are the
usual participants. There was much more company participation in this meeting.
Broader participation is very useful.
Design of markets and services across US and other countries would be useful to
compare in how they accommodate renewable, intermittent resources. There is
not general agreement on value of wind to system during dry and wet years.
Solutions are specific to the projects.
Operating experience has been the biggest impediment to utilities. Bureaus idea
of pilots in US is a good concept. Case studies of existing integrated projects are
very useful.
Analysis and research of projects where pricing and risk have been assessed are
very useful. Coordination between Western and Bonneville needs to occur. There
may be an opportunity in the Pacific Northwest to have a group focus on this for
the region.
How wind can contribute or detract from ancillary services is an important piece.
There is a need to educate regulatory community about what impacts market
designs and rates can have on integration of wind.
There is a need to educate operations and reliability community about the
accompanying services needed to support and integrate wind. May want to work
with reliability councils in doing this.
The benefits to hydro from integration of wind need to be defined such as
retaining water for fish or recreation.
Benefits to hydro from integration of wind may also need to be shared for
information on interconnection requirements and how those interconnections are
working/lessons learned.
Infrastructure concerns, particularly transmission, needs to be addressed.
Next step is to approach the Executive Committee of the IEA Windpower
Agreement to see if there is possible interest in forming an Annex on the Wind
Energy System Integration. It appears that the US Department of Energy and
Sweden are interested in this.
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References from Integrating Wind Energy with the BPA Power System: Preliminary
Study:
References from Integration of Wind and Hydro Power Systems - A discussion on the
minimization of cost (or optimization of value?) of wind integration for grid operators
[Forciene]: